Anya lay in Isaac's arms peacefully as King Akkar strode into the dungeon room. "Oh What do we have here." He said with a cackling roar that echoed off the brim colored stones.
Anya got up pushing him away quickly. "Nothing, He only attended to my wound." She softly replied with a hardened tone. King Akkar stared at her for a long moment, "You do realize I will have to punish for your disobedience." He said shaking his head. Anya stood there dumbstruck looking at Isaac and back at Akkar. She coughed and cleared her throat nervously. "What, do you mean brother." She asked. He angrily rushed to the gate "Never call me that!" He shouted, "You half-breed! You don't deserve the title of my sister." He shouted.
He looked at her with anger "And you, you were supposed to kill Isaac in this cell. You're supposed to be full of rage! Where is your rage against his betrayal!" He continued shouted as he opened the jail cell. Grabbing Isaac by the throat. "No! You let go of him!" Anya pushed into him. "Anya no, Wasn't this part of the plan." He gasped out, "Was to see my death push.. You." He gasped.
She cried, "It wasn't! Stop lying!, That is not what you whispered in my ear. Akkar let him go!" She yelled. King Akkar began to crush his throat when he heard Anya's words within a blink, his hand was around her throat "What did he whisper wench," He growled as Ilyrana came down around the corner. "Akkar, That's enough. Obviously mother didn't produce strong enough kin. She chose a poor vassal a simple human's man." She said coldly looking at her half breed sister.
"She is a disgrace to the family emblem, and her worthless life should be cast out of this world, She has no strength, no courage, and unworthy of being a part of a grand family legacy." She said as she spat on the floor in disgust. King Akkar pulled his glimmering silver sword out of its hold.
Pressing it against Anya's throat, drawing blood from her neck. "I will make it quick, I do owe you that much. You are still family..But hardly one at that. Still I owe you a decent death, At least." He cackled as he was about to strike Isaac stepped in. "Might it be, A better idea. To do it at dusk tomorrow in front of your loyal subjects? send a message to Alenia that you know her plans of revolution?" Isaac asked him hoping he would take the bait from his palms. Akkar stood there silently for a moment before looking at Ilyrana, "He does speak a point, we could surely use the asset and the rage when Alenia finds out that Anya didn't steal her love, And that it was me. Could surely halt their expanding army, It would hopefully stall her and send her into a despairing sorrow...." He said in agreement. Ilyrana nodded in agreement as she signaled for the removal of the blade from Anya's throat, as he left Isaac quietly slipped his key from King Akkar's pocket.
He barely even noticed as he continued out of the cage surprisingly he reached into his pocket for the key but to no avail found nothing. Looking at his two prisoners as he pulled out a spare. He smirked, "I hope you don't plan to do something stupid." He replied leaving them in their solace. Anya looked at him, "He noticed..Isaac, If I leave he could kill you. He wouldn't allow the both of us to slip out," She said with a panic in her tone. Isaac simply put his hands around her cheeks cupping them in his hand as he kissed her, before he spoke. 'Forget about me, I choose to die for the both of you, It is a sacrifice I will be willing to make. King Akkar can have my head, But I will not let him stab at the two most precious people I have in my life. I will sacrifice my life so that you two may live on..."
Anya wanted to object but clearly saw he had made his decision. "Isaac, is there anything you want to say Alenia.." She simply asked.
He opened his lips to speak but what came out wasn't what he truly wanted to say. "You are running out of time Anya,.. Alenia knows I have love for her to, She knows much of my love for her. And this is sacrifice for you both." He paused hurrying her to the door. "Get out, Go. Go!" He whispered shoving her out as she unlocked the door. She shut it quickly holding the key in her hands. Tossing it back into the cell Anya took one last look before she ran from the dungeon. Her heart racing as she panicked. She went down a series of steps not knowing her way out of the large castle. Shadows raced across the poorly lit castle walls. Her heart felt it was going to pump right out of her chest. It sounded as if a million race horses were bounding endlessly through the halls if it could be heard as such.
Anya came to a door, with no choice she took it and it led her down a series of stairs that went underground. In panic she ran through the dark tunnels, poorly lit torches lined the musk smelling walls. She came across several walls with writing on them. Briefly she took a glance, it was writings, she peered at it closely. She gasped when she saw Alenia striking down a blur of black and white. "Alenia..?" She asked. Suddenly there was noise coming from the end of the hallway. "GET HER!" The voices shouted. Her heart pounded as she swiftly ran through the flooded tunnels. Until she peered out of a hole in the ground. Blinking around her heart pounded looking back at the castle. Grabbing a nearby branch she snapped it off trying to make some kind of mark she could recognize later. . Looking around she fled into the dark woods her legs pumping quickly as a cheetah as she raced through in the dark woods when suddenly she was impacted by a sharp object. Next there was blackness like the life was knocked out of her.
The men who had captured her carried her to Cottonwood silently. Placing the traitor in front of Alenia. Splashing cold water upon Anya's face she awoke abruptly. "Alenia I-" But she was silenced by Alenia's glare and booming voice. She signaled for the guards to leave, she took Anya by her hair dragging her into the next room away from the windows. Suddenly her facial expression changed as she hugged Anya for a long time as she began to cry. Anya was startled at the reaction of Alenia
"Alenia..,I.."She started to say but Alenia put her finger to her lips. "I don't care how, Or what you and I have done to each other. This false hatred against each other has ended..As for the rebellion, I've got the people rallied against King Akkar,"she boldly exclaimed proud of her achievements.
Anya scowled, "That's why I have escaped.. Alenia. He knows of your plans, He captured Isaac, and tried to turn me against you. But while I was sitting in his royal rooms, he was in anger fuming anger about how everything he has thrown at you. You have overcome, It seems like I was there last chance.. Until.. Until Isaac.." She said stopping as the word Isaac rolled off her tongue
Alenia sat back in fear, "What.. What's his plans for Isaac?" She asked trying not to draw much attention on her love for him. "Isaac pushed me to escape, I left the key with him. He was going to kill me at dusk tomorrow, in front of his loyal subjects to send a message to you. But now we are both connected to Isaac.. He said he would gladly sacrifice himself for us. He said we were the most precious thing in his life..And I also found out another truth..That should make me your enemy." She softly replied as tears rolled down her cheeks.
Alenia held Anya closely listening to her sister cry in pain was very painful to her. "My mother is the ancient temptress.." She said bursting out crying. Alenia drew back in fear, "You..You're.." She couldn't spit out the words. "Stay here, I need a moment" She said as she ran out of the cottage leaving Anya, Unprotected and unguarded. Alenia stepped away from her cottage looking for her mother, without noticing one of her guards had stepped into her cottage looking for the betrayer warrior. Alenia heard the sounds of the screams coming from her cottage. "Anya!" She shouted, many heads looked up as they watched her run into the cottage. "Betrayer!, You have betrayed us all Anya, and for that I will silence you. Once and for all!" The guard shouted. But thankfully before the sword could pierce her throat, "HALT!" Alenia shouted. The sword stopped just inches short of Anya's throat "Your highness," he said kneeling, "I was not aware that you knew she was here."Alenia nodded waving him away, "Go tell the townspeople to gather, I will be out in a moment. We have found some truth in this twisted war." She explained as she sent him out. The guard nodded firmly as he went out and started to gather the people, they could hear the confused shouts outside the cottage. "Why do you have the betrayer!" "Give her to us Alenia!" "Kill her!" "Blood Blood blood", They screamed and they shouted. Alenia sighed, perking up. "Enlightenment comes later" she whispered to Anya. "Stay here," She ordered. Standing firm she left the cottage. "Anya is under my protection, King Akkar has used her against us!" She shouted but was interrupted by one of the men.
"How do you know she is not fooling you now, That she is not fooling all of us? King Akkar could of twisted her mind with his dark magic. She could be fooling all of us!" He shouted loudly turning to his fellow men. "We have seen many twisted evil events happen from King Akkar, While I trust our princess, I think she is naive." He finished as he walked off fuming in anger.
Alenia was silent for a moment letting the tension calm. "Anya was used against us, and now from my sources he is to kill Isaac at dusk." She sternly said. "Anya could be against us, her mind may be twisted, But I still owe her a debt. Without her, Not many of us would be here. So I decree that she is placed in the hold, guarded and within sight until we can find the truth in this madness" Alenia ordered allowing the guards into her cottage. They roughly handled Anya her screams were heard through the camp as she yelled for Alenia's help. Alenia simply shut her eyes turning her back as she went to continue looking for her mother.
"Guards!" She shouted, "Has anyone seen the queen?" She asked. The guards spoke "We saw her going towards the silver shores a few hours ago, she hasn't returned m'lady." They responded. "Get some scouts to find her, It's dangerous for her to be out by herself with Imperial about," She said. The guards nodded in agreement as they sent for more scouts. Coincidentally the scouts that were sent out to find forces rode into the camp on mighty six legged horses. "Your highness, we have rallied the orcs for your cause." He said proudly. "The other scouts remain back in the protection of the orcs, I was sent by their fastest horse a gift for you your highness." He continued trying to steady the massive horse as he hopped off. "How many do they have in their army for us?" She asked the scout.
He bowed before her "They have 4,000 strong. They said they would help us on a few terms." He replied his head still bowed. "Raise up," She simply said, "What are their terms?"
He raised up looking her in the eye in a sign of respect. "That we fight their current enemies, after the overthrow of the king of Idor." He said. She flattened her dress softly almost nervously. "What are their enemies?" She asked. The scout only shook his head, "They wouldn't say, Shall I make my way back to tell them your answer." He asked her. She nodded her head, allowing him to take the gift from the Orcs, to allow him to hastily get there before dusk. She had her hopes that she could gather the Orcs and her people in time to save Isaac.
Her mother came wandering up the trail with the guards at her side. "Guards at ease." The queen said. They nodded and retreated. "Sorry if I alerted you, I know I have pressured a lot on your shoulders my dear daughter, I have come back from the heavens and I haven't given much answers. You don't even know my name.." She said softly hugging her daughter in an embrace. "My name is Queen Ivalon, " she said sticking out her hand, Winking. "Earth has strange customs.." She smirked. Alenia softly shook her head grinning while shaking her mother's hand. "Hello Ivalon,.." She softly said. The guards came back up bowing before Alenia, "Anya requests your presence milady." He said bowing as he talked. "Thank you sir," She said patting him on the shoulder. "Mom, I want to know the truth but at a time like this, I don't. As you said, Enlightenment comes after. I am convinced that your spirit hasn't fully awaken to what Samarra your alter ego had discovered. As you have knowledgeable explained, This is mine to bear. What you could not I now must. Weather I know the truth or not." She explained to Ivalon. Iva nodded in agreement, "Sadly it is your crown to bear.. And I am very sorry to the events in your life..I yearn for those events to be erased, to have the life that you were meant to have." Iva said as she kissed Alenia's forehead.. She sighed, even though she was confused. She could see the weight that she needed to bear for All of this to be successful. Her mother needed to wake up one more time before she could be fully of use for answers. Alenia made her way towards the cottage-hold that the guards were guarding Anya in. She nodded at the guards as they drew back their swords and allowed her to pass. Anya was bound and gagged for that time that Alenia was gone. She smiled and shook her head, "Silly villagers, You don't need to be bound." She said, "At least in my presence." She finished as she unbound her hugging her tightly. "I am apologetic of the theatrics around here, I had use the situation to rally up the villagers. They will follow any choice I make. I need to them to believe you are a prisoner of war." She softly said as she hugged her. Anya sobbed quietly, "Your life isn't the only one that has been a mess, You think it's confusing for you,-" Anya was quietly interrupted by Alenia's gentle shushing. "I have much to bear in this time of war, I don't need anything to derail me,. What I need to know is how you got out of King Akkar's Labyrinth of a kingdom. So we can rescue Isaac..." She softly replied.
Anya scowled as her heart sank. "King Akkar is a heartless beast. He forced me to witness everything I could between you two," She shook her head softly rubbing her temples. "He almost succeeded turning my hate against you." She said with a sorrow-filled heart. Alenia scowled, and lift her chin up with her hands. "Don't feel that way, We are all victims of his cruel touch, and his horrible evil.." She softly said. She put on a serious expression, and said with a harsh tone. "Now I need to you to think, where did you come out of before my guards found you running through the forest." She asked Anya. Anya thought rather hard of that night, feeling all the rage, fear and hopelessness she had felt that night. "There is a tunnel that I marked, that leads to the kingdom mote. That's long been empty, they lead right into the castle." She said. Alenianodded curiously, "I came out of the castle by crashing through a window." She laughed snorting slightly.
One of Alenia's guards came in he bowed his head, "Your highness a scout and an Orc have returned to talk about troops," He replied. She nodded, "At ease, Please make sure Anya is well fed and taken care of. She is no longer to be bound, but the door is to remain locked and guarded." She strictly explained. Anya watched the way she moved and commanded her officers. Smiling to herself it reminded her a lot of herself. She whispered softly, "Good job Alenia, I am so proud of you." she said smiling. Alenia looked down smiling at her, "I have business to attend to now. My guards will take very good care of you. But you won't step out of this cottage. There is to many who would willingly kill you for the crimes I have placed over your head." She softly said as she retreated from the hut to meet with the orc. The orc stood there proud, ancient, and strong. His tusks were long and sharp pointed.
He had two long tusks on both side, his hair was to his waist and charcoal black. His armor contained of leather and fur over his strong bulging body. His weapons were massive axes made out of the strongest steel material that Alenia had ever laid her eyes on. When she reached him, she gave him a serious but respectful expression. He bowed down on one knee with his hands folded in front of him. "Your highness," He sternly said. She smiled, "Arise," She stated. "Follow me please, Scout can you take the kind gesture to the stables and make sure it is fed." She asked softly, and sweetly. The scout nodded taking the beautifully black six legged horse to the stables while she lead the Orc to her private space. Sitting down at the table, the orc sat down softly as to not break the tiny seat. "If that seat is far to small you may sit on the floor if that helps you," She said, her heart thumping lightly. She had never led anything into a war before. He put his hand up to silence her, "Alenia, we all know you are scared. The Orcs are nervous as well to go to war. But I have counseled with the troops, they have all agreed it's a fight worth honor. You are the true leader of Idor you have true power in Idor, the Orcs would be proud to fight alongside you to win this war." He said.
She nodded, "My scout returned, and mentioned conditions that your tribe would like us to follow?" She asked him. He coughed loudly, "Ah yes that, we have a small infestation problem, that you could take care of.." He said as his voice trailed off. She smiled, "You mean by summoning death on all of your.. infestation.. problem...?" She asked sighing, "I don't really enjoy taking life, But if this is what we need to agree to win this war for Idor than I will gladly comply." She said smiling. The male orc smiled back oddly. He could see the Human-Elf Hybrid didn't need much more to bare. "The orcs would also like to meet you, Is it possible that you can leave your people to come speak to my tribe?" He asked her.
She sighed, "Yes, But there is a problem. Dawn is coming soon and King Akkar plans to murder one that I love, I need your tribe to be ready to go to war at dawn.." She said, "To rescue.. my love.." She said softly letting the tears come to her eyes. The orc softened by the saviors tears. He puts his hand on her knee. "If he loves you, he will know what he is sacrificing, His life for yours must mean more if he has allowed Anya to come back. We have plenty of spies in Akkar's kingdom, if they can get him out then that is what we will do. But don't let this derail you.." He said softly. She wanted to be angry at the Orc for saying such things to her somehow deep in heart she knew he spoke the truth. "If your spies can rescue him, Can you do so..? Please, If he died I would feel like my strength was depleted." She explained as she dried her tears. "Come, let us ride back to my tribe, Eshe will take us swiftly." He said getting up as he did the chair fell apart. A hearty laugh came from his rather large belly. "Your tiny chairs are not fit for a fat orc." He said with another laugh. Alenia softly laughed as well but her mind was elsewhere. She was worried for the safety of her one true love.
Meanwhile Isaac was back in the dark dungeon of the kingdom of Nytl'quia, King Akkar came down with a taunting voice, "It's almost dawn, It's almost dawn.." He taunted with a singing voice. "I don't think Alenia, or Anya will muster the strength to bring their armies to come save your soul." He said smirking with a cold expression. Isaac looked up at him grimly and weakly. "You can take my head, that will only make Alenia stronger against you. Are you blind, She is winning. And you, your death will meet her sword. Imperial will lose it is destined to happen." He said as he continued to speak he was blasted hard by a choking black magic. It pulled him close to the bars it felt as if hands were clasping around his neck. "I could kill you right now, and I wouldn't feel the smallest bit of sorrow, as for my father..He has plans with the darkness itself," He said smirking.
Isaac gave a wild fearful expression, "He has death under his grasp?" He asked. The hold on Isaac gripped tighter, "You have no idea what Death has agreed to. She may have power and the leash over death. But death dislikes being controlled. The Spirit of Idor can't control it forever. My hopes are in the blade that my father now possesses.. Thanks to Alenia, she just might meet her death sooner than we thought." He smiled as she threw him against the wall. "You are just a pawn in a game much bigger than yourself. Much bigger than even me, This is an ancient battle, better pick what side your on..." He said cackling walking out. Isaac lay their terrified trying to be brave in the midst of the torture to his mind, His heart thumped with fear for Alenia. "Oh Idor, Gracious spirit.. Please don't let the sword pierce her.. She is far too pure to be welcomed by death and kept there.." he sobbed as he fell asleep. The spirit of Idor heard the cries of an honest man, reaching out its hands it touched his mind in his sleep awakening a powerful skill that lay dormant in his genes.
ns 18.68.41.180da2
